Get to know who we are
We’re here to serve.
The Purpose and Mission of Kalamazoo SDA Junior Academy
We believe it to be our privilege and duty to provide Christian education for our children, to bring them up in the instruction and counsel of the Lord, to provide for them an environment which will facilitate the development of Christian character and academic excellence, to help them obtain victory in their daily conflict with sin, to educate them for service to God, to their church, to their country, and to humanity, and cause them to understand the doctrines and mission of the Seventh-day Adventist Church.
Kalamazoo Junior Academy is operated in harmony with the guidance and direction of the Office of Education, North American Division of the Seventh-day Adventist Church.
About Adventist Education
Founded in 1872, Adventist Education is the second largest denominational educational system in the world, second only to Catholic schools. Adventist Education curriculum was developed to teach students not only to excel academically but to develop healthy bodies and thriving spiritual lives. In Bermuda, Canada, and the U.S., 4,700 teachers instruct over 55,000 students in nearly 1,000 Adventist K–12 schools and 15 colleges and universities.
If you are interested in finding out more information about Kalamazoo Junior Academy, please contact us via one of the contact methods located at the bottom of this page. We would be delighted to schedule a visit for you and your child.
Meet your educators
Called. Committed. Caring.
Tami Draves
Principal and upper grade teacher
Ms. Draves has served as principal and teacher for more than 20 years. She has taught all grades and subjects and is currently principal and teacher for the upper grades at KJA. Her passion is to lead young people to Jesus, provide quality education and make it fun in the process!
April Moravetz
Lower grade teacher
Mrs. Moravetz has served as principal, teacher, & substitute teacher in various locations over the last 11 years. Currently, Mrs. Moravetz is KJA’s lower grade teacher. Her passion is to lead children to Jesus and ensure her students learn their basic facts, so their future academics have a firm base. She is also passionate about helping college students find their way to success.
Dylite Adams
Art Teacher and Tutor
Mrs. Adams has been a teacher, teacher’s aid, tutor and art instructor over 5 decades. She is currently KJA’s Art teacher & tutor. Her passion is sharing her love for Jesus and providing quality education for each child she works with.
Ashtin Heiss
Teacher’s aide for lower grade
Mrs. Heiss has experience with young children. She is currently KJA’s lower grades, teacher’s aide. Her passion is to lead little ones to love Jesus and to make learning fun using hands-on activities.
Layna Beckermeyer
Volunteer Music Teacher
Mrs. Beckermeyer is a volunteer music teacher at KJA. She is currently a student at Western Michigan University with a major in Music Therapy. Her passion is to use the power of music to build positive social connections, widen worldviews, improve confidence, and provide kids with a skill that can be used to reach others for Jesus.
Marjie Shade
Secretary
Mrs. Shade has worked at KJA for more than 30 years. She has served as a teacher’s aid, substitute teacher, yearbook advisor, Bible Labs coordinator and is currently KJA’s secretary. Her passion is to share Jesus with others, serve where needed, and to make you smile!